Firmware Updates

This guide explains how to update the firmware in each AERL product, how to check which version a unit runs, and what to do if an update does not finish. It is for installers, service technicians, and system owners who manage their units in AERL Cloud.

AERL releases firmware to fix problems and add features. Each release's customer-relevant changes are listed in the AERL Customer Release Notes, at aerl.com.au. Update a unit when AERL Link or AERL Cloud offers an update, when AERL support asks you to, or when the release notes list a fix you need.

1.1How Each Product Is Updated

1.2Precautions

Do not interrupt an update

Do not switch off power, unplug the USB cable or open the PV or battery isolators while an update is running. An interrupted update does not damage the unit: it keeps running its previous firmware. But the update must then be run again.

• The battery stays connected. A CoolMax SRX or SRX-R is updated with its battery connected and the unit powered up.
• Charging stops during the update. A charge controller stops charging while its firmware is installed, and restarts on the new firmware. Plan updates for a time when a short stop in charging does not matter, and check that the site's other sources and the battery can carry the loads.
• Settings are kept. An update keeps the unit's settings. Check them afterwards all the same.
• Updates only go forward. AERL Link and AERL Cloud only offer firmware newer than the unit's own. A unit is never downgraded.
• Some updates need a calibration. AERL Link says so before it starts: have a digital multimeter on hand.

1.3Checking the Firmware Version

Firmware versions are written as numbers such as 2.17.9. AERL Link may add a letter V or a build date after the number.

1.4Updates Worth Knowing About

1.5Release Notes

The AERL Customer Release Notes, at aerl.com.au, list the customer-relevant changes in each released version of the SRX, SRX-R and EG-600 firmware, the Nexus gateway software and AERL Link, newest first.

AERL withdraws a release from AERL Link and AERL Cloud when a newer one replaces it. A unit on a withdrawn release keeps working: update it to the release AERL Link or AERL Cloud offers.

2.1What You Need

• The latest AERL Link, from aerl.com.au/professionals. Start it with an internet connection before you go to site, so that its firmware list is current: AERL Link keeps the firmware on the PC, and updates units on site without the internet.
• A USB-A to USB-B data cable.
• A PC on mains power or with a charged battery. Stop it from sleeping during the update.
• A digital multimeter, in case the update needs a calibration.

2.2Update Procedure

1. Power the unit up with its battery connected, following the start-up procedure in its user manual.
2. Connect the USB cable to the USB-B port: on the SRX, inside the access cover; on the SRX-R, on the backplane, with the USB Change-Over Switch set to the module you want to update (MPPT 1 or MPPT 2).
3. Start AERL Link and click the unit's card on the DEVICES page.
4. If a newer release is available, AERL Link offers it: Firmware update available., with the unit's name and serial number and the release notes. Click Update. An important update (Important firmware update available.) installs straight away.
5. Wait while the page shows Updating Firmware: and the progress. The transfer usually takes 1–2 minutes. During it the unit stops charging and its LED flashes orange (status 110, firmware update in progress).
6. The unit restarts on the new firmware. Its LED flashes blue briefly, then it returns to normal operation. AERL Link reconnects and shows the new version.
7. If the update needs a calibration, AERL Link starts it. Follow the steps on screen (AERL Link User Guide, Calibration chapter).
8. Check the unit's settings and its status on the STATUS tab.

SRX-R: one module at a time

Only the module selected by the USB Change-Over Switch is updated. Do not change the switch during an update. When the first module has finished, change the switch over and update the other module.

2.3Release Channels

AERL Link offers Stable firmware. AERL support may ask you to try a Beta release, which has passed AERL's release testing but has had less than six months of use in the field: they will give you the password to turn on Beta Firmware on AERL Link's SETTINGS page. A site that must stay on a tested version can be held there with Lock Firmware on the same page, also with a password from AERL support.

3.1Requirements

A CoolMax SRX or SRX-R connected to AERL Cloud through a Nexus gateway can be updated remotely from the AERL Cloud Service page.

• You need the Owner, Admin or Technician role in your AERL Cloud organisation. Other roles do not see the Service page.
• The unit must be online (not Offline or Sleeping).
• The gateway must run Nexus software 1.7.12 or later. Nexus gateways update themselves (chapter 5), so this is normally the case.
• AERL Cloud offers Stable releases only.

3.2Update Procedure

1. Open Service. On the Devices tab, an arrow beside a unit's FW Version means an update is available.
2. Click Manage on the unit.
3. Under Firmware Update, check the new version and its release notes, then click Deploy Update.
4. Read Confirm Firmware Deployment and confirm.
5. AERL Cloud shows the progress, the elapsed time and an estimate of the time remaining. A typical update takes about 3 minutes; a few take 10 minutes or more. After about 6 minutes AERL Cloud says the update is taking longer than expected: you can leave the page and check back later.
6. When it finishes, AERL Cloud shows Deployment Successful and the unit runs the new version.

Every SRX on the CAN bus stops during a remote update

While the gateway installs firmware in one unit, every CoolMax SRX and SRX-R on the same CAN bus stops charging, and all of them restart when the update ends. Update at a time when a few minutes without solar charging does not matter, and keep every unit powered throughout.

3.3If the Update Fails

• Deploy Update is unavailable: the unit is offline. Wait for it to come online (an SRX that is Sleeping wakes when the sun is up).
• No update offered: the unit already has the latest release for its model, or its gateway's software is older than 1.7.12. Contact AERL support if the gateway does not update.
• Deployment Failed: check that the unit is online, wait a few minutes, and check its FW Version: a long update can finish after the window has reported a failure. If the version has not changed, click Try Again. A failed update leaves the unit on its previous firmware. If it keeps failing, update the unit with AERL Link on site (chapter 2), or contact AERL support.

4.1Update Procedure

EarthGuard firmware is updated with AERL Link over USB-C only. AERL Cloud cannot update an EarthGuard.

1. Connect a USB-A to USB-C data cable from the PC to the EarthGuard's USB-C port, on the bottom edge. The EarthGuard can run from the USB-C port alone, so it can be updated on the bench or in place.
2. Start the latest AERL Link and click the EarthGuard's card on the DEVICES page.
3. If a newer release is available, AERL Link offers it. Click Update and wait while the page shows Updating Firmware: and the progress.
4. The EarthGuard restarts on the new firmware. Check its STATUS tab shows Ok, and check its SETTINGS (sensitivity and earth type).

Note

The EarthGuard's alarm relays are fail-safe: they can open while it restarts. If they report to a monitoring system, expect an alarm during the update, and check that it clears afterwards.

5.1Automatic Updates

A Nexus gateway connected to the internet keeps its own software up to date. There is nothing to do.

• The gateway checks for a new release regularly and installs it automatically.
• The gateway also restarts itself once a night, around midnight.

5.2HMI-10

HMI-10 software updates are arranged with AERL support: contact AERL support if an HMI-10 needs one. Setup > About on the display shows the Nexus software version.

5.3Checking a Gateway

In AERL Cloud, a gateway's page shows its Firmware version. If a gateway shows an old version, check that it is online and has an internet connection; if it stays on an old version, contact AERL support.

6.1AERL Link

6.2AERL Cloud

See section 3.3. A remote update that keeps failing can be done on site with AERL Link.

6.3Contact AERL Support

Before you call, note the product, its serial number, the firmware version before and after, and the message shown. If you used AERL Link, save a support bundle (AERL Link HELP page) and send it with your email.

AERL support: 1800 950 865 · [email protected]

6.4Change Log